Structural model for the reinforcement of polymethyl methacrylate/carbon nanotube nanocomposites at an ultralow nanofiller content

Abstract

The structural basis of the anomalously high reinforcement of polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites at an ultralow nanofiller content is studied. This effect is shown to be caused by the absence of interaction between carbon nanotubes and the related sharp increase in the interphase adhesion. From the standpoint of a nanofiller structure, the effect disappears when three critical points related to the structure of carbon nanotubes in a polymer matrix are reached. These points are a percolation threshold, an aggregative nanofiller stability threshold, and the beginning of formation of closed circular carbon nanotube structures.